A brine waste management method comprising the utilization of brine waste as a growth medium for cultures of genetically modified halophiles acting as bio-refineries creating chemicals of value. Brine waste enters the method (101) to undergo compositional analysis (102), Pretreatment (104), and Inoculation (106). The compositional analysis (102) and the selection (103) of the chemicals of value influences the selection (103) of the halophile species to undergo modification (105), as well as the pretreatment (104) needed to encourage growth-production (107). Growth-production (107) is monitored and assisted until the extraction (108) of the chemicals of value and additional post-extraction (109) handling of excess brine waste exiting the method.

The present invention discloses a composite biogenic flocculant for enhancing flocculation and dewaterability of chemically enhanced primary treatment (CEPT) sludge. The present invention also discloses method of conditioning CEPT sludge using the composite biogenic flocculant.

The invention relates to a method for the transformation of host cells of a biofilm with heterologous nucleic acid, wherein the host cells are within the extracellular matrix of the biofilm, the method comprising: adding the heterologous nucleic acid to the biofilm; and applying inertial cavitation to the biofilm in the presence of the heterologous nucleic acid to facilitate transformation of host cells within the biofilm with the heterologous nucleic acid. The invention further relates to associated methods, uses and kits for transformation of host cells of a biofilm.

A process for producing PHA comprises obtaining biomass produced in the course of biologically treating a first wastewater source containing RBCOD. The biomass is to be exploited with a second wastewater source having a different RBCOD content from the first wastewater source in order to accumulate and thereby produce PHA. Before subjecting the biomass to a PHA accumulation process, the biomass PHA accumulation potential is enhanced via an acclimation process with the second wastewater source. During acclimation, the biomass is subjected to repeated feast-famine periods. During each feast period, the biomass is exposed to a fraction of the second wastewater source. The RBCOD uptake and/or biomass respiration rate is directly or indirectly measured during each feast period. The famine period is maintained for a period of time that is at least two times greater than the length of time of the proceeding feast period. After at least two feast-famine acclimation periods or after one or more measured parameters reveal an increased RBCOD relative uptake or respiration rate of the biomass during a subsequent feast period, the biomass is subjected to a PHA accumulation process using the second wastewater source.

There is described here a method of desiccation of aerobic granules.

A process for removal of selenium and nitrate from waste water includes both electrochemical and bioprocessing treatment. Embodiments include use of activated walnut shell a growth media for selenium-reducing bacteria.

A process for removal of selenium and nitrate from waste water includes both electrochemical and bioprocessing treatment. Embodiments include use of activated walnut shell a growth media for selenium-reducing bacteria.

[Problem] A carrier for retaining anammox bacteria, an anammox bacteria-adhered particle, and a wastewater treatment apparatus are provided that can remarkably reduce the start-up period for obtaining a nitrogen removal speed of 1 kg-N/m.sup.3/day. [Solution] A carrier for retaining anammox bacteria includes carbon particles. The carbon particles are desirably graphite particles, particularly isotropic graphite particles. The carbon particles desirably have a zeta potential of −35 mV to 0 mV and an average particle size of 2 μm to 1000 μm.

[Problem] A carrier for retaining anammox bacteria, an anammox bacteria-adhered particle, and a wastewater treatment apparatus are provided that can remarkably reduce the start-up period for obtaining a nitrogen removal speed of 1 kg-N/m.sup.3/day. [Solution] A carrier for retaining anammox bacteria includes carbon particles. The carbon particles are desirably graphite particles, particularly isotropic graphite particles. The carbon particles desirably have a zeta potential of −35 mV to 0 mV and an average particle size of 2 μm to 1000 μm.

Disclosed is a method for improving biological production of hydrogen from protein-containing wastewater comprising two stages: ultraviolet radiation pretreatment of protein-containing wastewater and biological production of hydrogen under a neutral pH condition and intermediate temperature condition.